#starysmiles

Part Four: When you’re there for mental reasons.

(By @moonstruckmirab3lle) In case you find yourself a witch stuck in a psych ward.

Coloring is often a main form of entertainment offered, use this to your advantage. Choose a picture and colors for your intent, hide sigils in them, turn them into magic origami, etc.

You have so much time to come up with sigils and spells/chants.

They will give you as much tea as you want.

There are often meditation, spirituality, yoga, or music groups. Tune out their intent and use your own if their approach isn’t working for you.

If you’re lucky enough to get OT (arts and crafts time), then you have a field of opportunity.

They will often have little aromatherapy things to sniff such as lavender. Take that into your room and meditate while sniffing it, maybe hold your magic origami.

And from @spooniewitches:

The thing that we do when a family member is in hospital is take them something which smells nice, and familiar to them - whether that’s perfume, or a scented oil or a bunch of roses, and then I’ll enchant it with comforting and calming vibes. This is probably because most of my family are on a psychiatric ward at some point - and when someone is going through psychosis, a familiar, nice smell can be really calming and grounding. 

Similar to this, if I’m going into to hospital for an extended stay, I’ll take my wrap which is basically a giant scarf that also works well as a blanket. I drew sigils on the label - you can make these for whatever you need ‘bravery’ 'protection’ 'comfort’ etc. Then when you get scared or homesick you can wrap yourself up tight and feel safer.

Part Five: @torque-witch submitted such great stuff I didn’t want to pick it apart to make it into lists, so here it is:

So, I’m going to preface this with the fact that I do not spend long periods of time in the hospital. Mostly that is because I can’t afford to, and my insurance doesn’t cover much. It’s out of the question unless I’m dying. So these are more like suggestions, or tips based on having to function in the workplace no matter how I’m feeling. 

1. If you DO spend long amount of time around people, sick people, or environments that do not get cleaned often - invest in Vogmask. These are particulate masks that specifically help people who are prone to illness easier than others. They also come in different designs, which you can incorporate into your practice. 

The whole idea of it being a filter means that it can work as an energy     purifier. 

Designs/colors can determine your intent. Floral: Peace, calm; Circuitry; Energy flow; etc.

2. Keep an emergency witchy hospital stay bag packed 24/7 in an accessible location. 

Books (on witchcraft, especially)

Crystals that help with pain management, healing, anxiety, your particular issue, etc. (bloodstone, smoky quartz, amethyst, green fluorite, rose quartz)

Sleep sachets you can hold close to you or stuff in a pillow. I have never found sleep in a hospital to be easy or restful.

Headphones (You could listen to guided meditations, podcasts on the paranormal, audio books, etc.) These can magically act as an energy filter between you and your outside environment, fed and charged by sound waves.

Notebooks. You can use the time to brainstorm spells, theory, or copying down ideas to put into your grimoire/BOS.

Stuffed Animal. Simply put this can be a comfort item. Witchraftly     speaking, you could program this earlier to hold a thought form that has     specific jobs such as helping put you to sleep, helping you through     anxiety attacks, reminding you of your worth, etc.

Cleansing wipes. If you can’t shower this is just a hygiene suggestion, but you can also use these to energetically cleanse your space.

** Please don’t rely on hand sanitizer to keep you well! After the 6th-9th daily use, it becomes ineffective. This goes for antibacterial soap as well. Simply wash your hands frequently with regular soap. 

3. Ask what sort of drinks are available (and you are allowed to take). 

Ginger Ale/Sprite - Calm

Green Tea - Healing

Black Tea - Energy (You can also attempt to scry in darker blends)

Orange Pekoe Tea - Uplifting

Coffee - Focus

Hot Chocolate - Comfort

Water - Cleansing

4. If you are into divination, ask a question and flip through channels on the TV until you feel compelled to stop. Look for synchronicity. 

5. Reach out to the spirits at the hospital. Simply lay in bed and listen. Use the time to practice feeling different energies and interacting with them. If you really wanted to, use your notebook and pen to construct a disposable spirit board. Use a clear crystal as your planchette. 

Other helpful things:

Some bedridden witchcraft posts - many of these could be applied in hospitals!

Spoonie sigils (to help with mental + physical illnesses and disabilities)

With Contributions from: 

@solareys, @lavender-tarot, @healing-water-witch, @spooniewitches, @heatherwitch (me), @shadow-and-the-moon, @itsjoagainhello, @starysmiles, @a-nefarious-nobody, @adorkydruid, @luxiferia, @flounderingwitch, @moonstruckmirab3lle and @torque-witch!! Thank you all SO much!